CORTLANDT, N.Y. -- The state's largest grocery workers union recently announced its endorsement of Cortlandt's Justin Wagner for state Senate in the 40th district.

The United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500 is endorsing Wagner. Wagner ran in 2012 for the 40th District as a first-time candidate. He is running against Incumbent Sen. Greg Ball (R,C,I-Patterson).

District 40 includes Cortlandt, Peekskill, Mount Kisco, New Castle, Lewisboro, Pound Ridge, North Salem, Somers and Yorktown in Westchester as well as three towns in Putnam County.

“We trust that Justin Wagner will be a strong and aggressive fighter for economic and social justice,” said Anthony Speelman, secretary-treasurer of UFCW Local 1500 in a press release. “Whether it is supporting the organizing efforts of low-wage workers, defending the Wage Theft Prevention Act, or simply advocating for state-level policies to provide economic security for working families, our members know that Justin Wagner will stand with them shoulder to shoulder."

Bruce Both, president of UFCW Local 1500, agreed.

“The members of Local 1500 will be aggressive and on the ground to win the representation they and all hardworking 40th District residents deserve” said Both. “For too long, this lower Hudson Valley district has been represented by senators who have put well-connected special interests or conservative ideology before the practical needs of working New Yorkers, and we’re going to help Justin Wagner fix that this year."

UFCW Local 1500 represents 23,000 members.

“I am proud to accept the endorsement of the food and commercial workers,” said Wagner (D-Cortlandt). “Good-paying jobs for working and middle-class New Yorkers are key to our economic comeback and vital to strengthening our communities here in the Hudson Valley. Albany needs to do things differently – and we should start with a dose of common sense when it comes to creating jobs and getting our economy working for everyone.”